Visitor Levy for Edinburgh

Posted on: December 9, 2024

We believe that the main objective of the levy is to improve the City of Edinburgh for its resident population, mitigating the impacts of mass tourism in the city. The funds should be aligned to enhance those attributes which entice visitors to the city, namely its heritage and landscape qualities as well as improve the amenity of public assets such as greenspaces and cultural attractions, which would benefit visitors and residents alike.

We believe that the main objective of the levy is to improve the City of Edinburgh for its resident population, mitigating the impacts of mass tourism in the city. The funds should be aligned to enhance those attributes which entice visitors to the city, namely its heritage and landscape qualities as well as improve the amenity of public assets such as greenspaces and cultural attractions, which would benefit visitors and residents alike.

Cockburn Response

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Responsible Tourism Conference: Initial thoughts and reflections

POSTED ON October 31, 2024 BY Terry Levinthal

The conference noted that the dichotomy of “a good place to live is a good place to visit” did not follow, in that a good place to visit might not a good place to live. 

The conference noted that the dichotomy of “a good place to live is a good place to visit” did not follow, in that a good place to visit might not a good place to live. 

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A Plaque Too Far?

POSTED ON October 10, 2024 BY Terry Levinthal, Director

For the Cockburn, this proposal extends the discussion into the wider promotional and tourism marketing of the city. 

For the Cockburn, this proposal extends the discussion into the wider promotional and tourism marketing of the city. 

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Mass Tourism: Discontents and Dilemmas

POSTED ON September 20, 2024 BY Lesley Martin

As the 2024 Edinburgh Summer Festivals recede into the past once more, it is a good time to draw breath, take stock, and think about what it is about tourism in Edinburgh that most needs to be addressed.

As the 2024 Edinburgh Summer Festivals recede into the past once more, it is a good time to draw breath, take stock, and think about what it is about tourism in Edinburgh that most needs to be addressed.

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Power from the Glens: Hydroelectricity and the 20th-Century Scottish Landscape

Monday 14th April 2025

A key element of rural Scotland’s 20th-century modernisation was the construction of hydroelectric power stations, which brought reliable electricity to thousands of homes. Dr Harriet Richardson Blakeman joins Dr Alistair Fair to explore the evolving architecture of hydroelectricity, show how the proposals were depicted in a vibrant collection of paintings, and consider how these buildings contributed to the evolution of …

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Enjoying Blythswood: William Harley – the Great Improver

Thursday 20th March 2025

Graeme Smith, writer and campaigner, will describe how Glasgow’s New Town of Blythswood started and grew, and how it is today.  It became the city’s wealthiest and healthiest district and forms the largest part of today’s city centre. 7.30pm at St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow  Note: Lecture will also be live-streamed via Zoom Tickets …

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Rockville: James Gowans’ ‘Romantic Rationalist’ Masterpiece

Monday 10th March 2025

The Merchiston Pagoda, Tottering Towers, Crazy Manor, Sugar Loaf House – call it what you may, Rockville was one of the most notable buildings in Victorian Edinburgh and indeed Scotland. Andy Arthur looks at the history of this remarkable building and its builder, James Gowans, and shows how Rockville’s ornate, Gothic form hid a formulaic, rationalist approach to architecture that has much in common with the ideas of Le …

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Balloch Castle, a Romantic House in a Sublime Landscape

Thursday 20th February 2025

Purchased by Glasgow Council in 1914, Balloch Castle and estate on Loch Lomond is one of Glasgow’s forgotten treasures.   Designed by Robert Lugar, Fergus Sutherland of Icosse Heritage and Media, will show that it is a key part of the picturesque movement and gothic revival in Scotland. 7.30pm at St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow  …

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An Evolving Identity: Colour at Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

Monday 10th February 2025

Retrofitting 20th-century modernist buildings offers an opportunity to consider how change can be accommodated as part of an evolving identity. Drawing on her collaboration with Collective Architecture and ongoing research on colour, Professor Fiona McLachlan, University of Edinburgh, will discuss the development of a colour strategy for two A-listed Brutalist housing blocks in Leith and the role of painting as …

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Provand’s Lordship

Thursday 23rd January 2025

Scott Abercrombie, Associate Director of John Gilbert Architects, will discuss the history of Glasgow’s oldest residential building, now a museum, as well as the recent conservation works undertaken, which included the reinstatement of lime harling to the building. 7.30pm at St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow Note: Lecture will also be live-streamed via Zoom Tickets …

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